The New Orleans Saints made an early splash in free agency, signing running back Travis Etienne to a four-year, $52 million contract, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.
A former first-round pick in 2021, Etienne spent the first four seasons of his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars. After missing his rookie season due to injury, he developed into one of Jacksonville’s most productive offensive weapons, rushing for 3,798 yards and 25 touchdowns over the past four years.
In 2025, Etienne led the Jaguars with 1,107 rushing yards on 260 carries while scoring seven rushing touchdowns. He also remained a major factor in the passing game, finishing the season with 1,399 total yards from scrimmage and 13 total touchdowns.
Etienne’s versatility was on full display last season. He was one of just six players in the league to record at least five rushing touchdowns and five receiving scores, joining stars like Christian McCaffrey, Ashton Jeanty, Jahmyr Gibbs, RJ Harvey and Chase Brown.
The deal averages $13 million per year, making Etienne the seventh-highest-paid running back in the league. A Louisiana native, the 27-year-old now returns home to bolster a Saints rushing attack that struggled for consistency in 2025.
His arrival also raises questions about the future of longtime Saints star Alvin Kamara, who is coming off a difficult season in which he rushed for a career-low 471 yards and one touchdown in 11 games. Kamara has previously said he doesn’t want to play anywhere but New Orleans, leaving retirement as a possible option.
With Etienne in the fold, head coach Kellen Moore gains a dynamic dual-threat back to help energize the offense and support second-year quarterback Tyler Shough.
